“Science protects the health of our communities, the safety of our families, the education of our children, the foundation of our economy and jobs, and the future we all want to live in and preserve for coming generations.

“We speak up now because all of these values are currently at risk. When science is threatened, so is the society that scientists uphold and protect.”

A full delegation of Local 21 members marched in San Francisco with our sister unions, ESC (Engineers and Scientists of California) IFPTE Local 20, and IFPTE Local 30 (NASA Ames Research Center), on April 22. There was also a Local 21 contingent in San Jose.

In preparation for the April 22 March for Science, members went to a sign-making pizza party hosted by Local 21. ESC Local 20 members joined in the fun. Armed with markers, foam board, and pizza, members went to work writing messages like “What do we want? Evidence-based science! When do we want it? After peer review!” and “Do you trust ‘alternative facts’ to engineer your bridges, water systems, dams, and buildings?”

There were over 80 marchers in the Local 21 contingent. There was a lot of chanting and science puns. Local 21 Communications Specialist Jennifer Li, Administrative Assistant Kristan Karinen, and Organizer Evan McLaughlin coordinated the Local 21 contingent of the San Francisco March for Science, organizing the sign-making party, creating and ordering limited edition Local 21 x March for Science T-shirts, and creating a new Current Resistance banner for the march.

“We are charged with protecting the public, that is our unifying mission,” said Local 21 member Brian Reyes. “Our values are to advocate for clean water and air, protection against toxins in the environment, and so on. It’s my opinion that what the administration is doing is for special interests, and not for the people we are charged to serve.”

“Science is not a partisan issue,” said Executive Director Bob Muscat, “As a union of professionals, we use science in much of our work. Our interests are the public's interest – the public has a stake in well-run government. Our members hold the expertise to make sure that our buildings and dams are structurally sound, and our food, water, and air are safe. Local 21 members protect the public every day while on the job. Now more than ever, we need to stay strong to protect worker’s rights and the public.”